ChemSec today launches a concrete tool for action on highly problematic endocrine disrupting chemicals. The first set of chemicals identified as fulfilling the REACH criteria for Substances of Very High Concern solely due to their endocrine disrupting properties will be presented today in Brussels. These 22 substances, many of them commonly found in toys, food packaging, and cosmetics, have been incorporated into the SIN List 2.0.

Endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) can interfere with our hormone system and have been increasingly linked to a range of health problems including cancer, diabetes, behavioural and attention deficit disorders, as well as impaired fertility. We are all exposed to a range of EDCs via everyday consumer products as well as via food and water.

- The EU has the ambition to tackle the threat of EDCs but has so far not properly regulated their use. It is time to overcome this deadlock in European regulation and start acting, says Per Rosander, ChemSec director.

In the EU chemicals regulation REACH, all 27 member states have agreed that the use of Substances of Very High Concern (SVHC) should be strictly limited. However, the processes for doing so are moving very slowly and currently, only 46 chemicals have been officially identified as SVHCs and put on the REACH candidate list. None of them have been selected specifically for their endocrine disrupting properties.

- According to REACH, endocrine disruptors are as worrisome as other SVHCs which cause cancer, birth defects and which persist in the environment and accumulate in our bodies. We strongly encourage the European Commission and EU member states to start nominating EDCs to the REACH candidate list. This latest update of the SIN List gives guidance on where to start, says Jerker Ligthart, ChemSec project coordinator.

The SIN List 2.0, adding 22 substances identified by ChemSec as Substances of Very High Concern solely due to their endocrine disrupting properties, will be presented today at a public hearing on EDCs in Brussels. At this event business representatives from IKEA, Boots and the investment rating agency MSCI will describe how they work to limit the use of EDCs in consumer products and how the SIN List is a tool in this effort. Scientists and representatives from the European Commission and EU member states will discuss ways forward in an open debate.

- Endocrine disrupting chemicals are commonly used in many consumer products, and companies closest to the end-user and consumer knows that things have to change. We are convinced that the 2.0 update of the SIN List will further facilitate companies' efforts to substitute high concern chemicals, says Per Rosander.